Partnerships Frequently Asked Questions
These Frequently Asked Questions are meant to answer common questions pertaining to CDC’s global HIV and TB partnerships, and provide links to additional information and resources.
The U.S. Government funds HIV programs internationally through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Reliefexternal icon (PEPFAR). PEPFAR works in countriesexternal icon worldwide affected by HIV.
PEPFAR is the U.S. Government initiative to control the HIV pandemic around the world. This historic commitment is the largest by any nation to combat a single disease internationally. For more information, visit www.state.gov/pepfarexternal icon.
As part of PEPFAR, CDC brings expertise in public health working side-by-side with Ministries of Health, community organizations, civil society, faith-based and private sector organizations, local governments, and international partners to accelerate progress toward controlling the HIV epidemic. CDC’s work extends from scientific discovery to on-the-ground program implementation.
CDC depends on rigorous data collection and analysis to refine service delivery, making real-time program adjustments to meet changing population needs. CDC is also home to leading public health practitioners in science, epidemiology, surveillance, health economics, and laboratory quality. The agency’s cadre of “experts in action” rapidly respond to health challenges with proven solutions.
CDC’s scientific and research expertise allows the application of learnings from country-to-country, identifying patterns that may otherwise go unnoticed. With these evidence-based, data-driven approaches, CDC supports more than half of people in PEPFAR treatment programs, and approximately 1/3 of people on HIV treatment worldwide. For more information on CDC’s global HIV and TB programs, visit www.cdc.gov/globalhivtb.
No. CDC has long-standing relationships with Ministries of Health. We work together with Ministries of Health in 45+ countries and regions to lead and manage their national HIV and TB programs by providing direct technical assistance and knowledge transfer. We work with countries to build high-quality laboratory systems and services that are critical for HIV prevention, care and treatment, as well as for other diseases.
The U.S. Government funds HIV programs internationally through PEPFAR. As one of the PEPFAR implementing agencies, CDC funding for global HIV is programmed through PEPFAR Country Operational Plans and Regional Operational Plans. These plans cover all U.S. Government agencies that are operating HIV programs outside of the United States. For more information, visit www.state.gov/country-operational-plans/external icon.
PEPFAR country budgets and activities are submitted through the PEPFAR Country Operational Plans and Regional Operational Plans by the PEPFAR country teams. These plans are then approved by the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, and funded by the U.S. Congress. More information on PEPFAR funding can be found at https://data.pepfar.netexternal icon.
The funding process has several steps:
Through a thorough analysis of the current portfolio of projects and a consideration of PEPFAR priorities, CDC field offices in country determine if any shifts in programmatic focus or funding are needed, and if there are unmet needs.
Current awards that are due to expire also are reviewed to determine if they include activities that should be continued.
Once the portfolio review is complete and specific projects are agreed and approved, CDC field offices draft a Notice of Funding Opportunity. These undergo a rigorous review by technical and funding subject matter experts.
Once a draft Notice of Funding Opportunity has completed a full review, it is published on www.grants.govexternal icon. This allows interested organizations to apply for funding. Partners have 60 days to respond from the date a Notice of Funding Opportunity is posted.
Once all applications are received, each application is reviewed and scored against the criteria listed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. This review process is a merit review, and the particular merit review used is known as “Objective Review Panels”.
The CDC field offices make awards based on the Objective Review Panel results, and applicants are notified.
The overall funding for each project is determined in the PEPFAR Country Operational Plans and Regional Operational Plans through the process described above.
Each award is planned with a funding ceiling, which is the maximum potential funding level. The final funding level is subject to the awardee’s ability to receive and expend funds, as well as the availability of PEPFAR funds.
The overall funding level may change from year to year depending upon the approved work plan and funds made available to CDC by the U.S. Congress.
All grants awarded through CDC follow standard U.S. Government processes. Information on the U.S. Government’s grant management process can be found at www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants.htmlexternal icon.
Funding opportunities are posted at www.grants.govexternal icon.
All grants awarded through CDC follow standard U.S. Government processes. Information on the U.S. Government’s grant management process can be found at www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants.htmlexternal icon.
Funding opportunities are posted at www.grants.govexternal icon.
CDC follows U.S. Government regulations regarding grant making. As such, CDC projects are competitively awarded except in select cases where a direct award is deemed appropriate in line with U.S. Government regulations. For more information on the awards criteria and U.S. Government regulations regarding grant making, visit www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grant-policies.htmlexternal icon.
All current funding opportunities are listed at www.grants.govexternal icon
Yes. Reflecting PEPFAR’s commitment to country ownership, CDC is a strong supporter of local indigenous organizations. Overall, CDC invests more resources into local indigenous partners than international partners.
No. For international partners, funding is still spent directly in the partner country, benefiting people living with and affected by HIV, and helping to prevent HIV transmission in that country. Funds awarded to international organizations also include sub grants to local organizations that directly support partner countries.